We’ve been to Ibiza too. I even worked there for 4 months in 2010: it was my first internship abroad, and it was this experience, among others, that inspired me to open International Horizons a few years later. So, for this return experience to Spain – Ibiza session, hang on: partying, love, humor, beaches, hiking, it’s all there for you to enjoy. I’m going to tell things in no particular order, because I’m not too sure of the chronology of events, but I still have some very fresh memories, and some good tips to give you for having a great time during your internship abroad in Ibiza.
My internship abroad in Ibiza
I was recruited as a bartender. I arrive in Ibiza, the first time I’ve been on a plane, and I’m already on the floor. I asked him to stop me in the middle of the road because I didn’t have enough money, but he kindly dropped me off at the Hotel Galeon, and off we went. At least, that’s what I thought: the next day, because of the plane, my ears are blocked – but then blocked – it lasts a whole week, to the point where I’m summoned by the hotel manager who asks me if I really speak Spanish when it’s just that I couldn’t hear anything at all ?
In spite of everything, I started my internship as a bartender, and everything went really well: the customers threw me into the pool in my suit every 5 minutes, the Italians, as soon as they realized I spoke their language, jumped the queue “è la famiglia! “It’s 40 degrees in the shade, and I’m quickly into the swing of things. Except that after 15 days, my manager got fed up with seeing me more in the pool than behind the bar, except that wallah, it was the customers who were throwing me out: he made me a host. And then Ibiza really began: I loved it, so much so that I continued for three summers in a row, this time at campsites, but that’s another story! By the way, I’ve got to write back to Babeth from Penhoat campsite, she sent me a message a few days ago ?
The animation schedules are full, and as if I didn’t have enough, I set up Olympics with the nearby hotels. I don’t know the local law, but without a BAFA, I’m entrusted with no less than 42 kids – aged 4 to 17 – to look after on the beach. It’s clearly a mess without a name, but I’ve met some incredible people, and I still see some of the kids today, who are now adults. Olympiads, Miss & Mister Galeon, darts, water races, aquagym (I swear!), dance parties, beach outings and hikes, excursions outside the hotel, dartboard games where I clearly get the crap kicked out of me by the kids, waterpolo version tqt Michel we’re going to manage to swim, animal shows (wesh check my facebook I’ve got a photo with a python! EH OUI ON AVAIT PAS INSTA NOUS J’AI PAS 17 ANS ?), dance classes … we’re having a blast. So clearly, for me it wasn’t an internship or a job. And thanks to that I understood something, which I’ve been applying ever since: I’ll never work in my life. I’m not saying I don’t want to suffer the inconveniences, they’re everywhere, but I want to have the time of my life.
The only thing I remember about the animations was that the kids (and their parents!) were absolutely hilarious. Really, best job ever!
Ibiza nightclubs
Okay, let’s move on! I’ve been to every nightclub in Ibiza, and I mean every single one, and I’m not into that stuff at all, but here, clearly, you’ve got no choice – it’s the antithesis of what we know in France. Between the Pacha with David Guetta, the Privilège with Dj Tiesto or Deadmau5, or the Amnesia with stores and fireworks, Disney nights – but not the cute Disney kind – or Rocco with pornos projected on the walls … it’s excessive, everywhere and all the time, with thousands and thousands of people dancing and partying.
La Traviata evening
Then, my friend, it was at the Amnesia. Just so you know, Ibiza is part of Catalonia, and if I’d only had the intelligence to think for 1 minute at the age of 20, I wouldn’t have been taken in. Anyway, with my mates from the hotel – a nice European crew with Dutch, Spanish, Romanians etc. – we’re off to the La Traviata party. With a few too many drinks in me, I set off to dance with an absolutely hot chick, but I didn’t count on the surprise that awaited me once she opened her mouth. La Traviata is actually transvestite. ?
Playa d’em Bossa
A fine sandy beach, pleasant day and night, one part surprisingly family-friendly and the other completely lit, with DJs, dancing, booze, showers on the beach: in short, perfection when you’re 20. Generally, you start your parties there, get a few free tickets to Ibiza’s biggest nightclubs, and then take a cab to go boozing until 10 a.m.: and I can tell you, having sunglasses on at the club makes perfect sense ahah.
Ibiza’s beaches and nature
Because yes, Ibiza isn’t ONLY about partying, it’s also about magnificent landscapes. There are dozens and dozens of beaches to suit all tastes: large sandy beaches, beaches with DJs, beaches with children’s games, little coves at the bottom of cliffs. I can’t remember the name, but there’s one I particularly liked: a little cove under the trees, with a guy who sets up a dozen hammocks, a cooler and a radio, and serves you chilled colas – it’s truly royal! Ibiza also boasts large pine forests, incredible hiking trails and cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. The only drawback is that you die of heat very quickly, and even the water isn’t enough to cool you down sometimes.
The hippies
Because YES, Ibiza is above all the story of the hippies. Contrary to popular legend, hippies are the children of the rich, sent to a safe haven to avoid war, with plenty of dough, to spend on drugs and alcohol. In this case, it’s the children of Germans before the Second World War, who were sent here to avoid fighting in Hitler’s ranks. And that leaves its mark! There’s still a huge hippie market right in the heart of the island, and you can also have big hippie parties to the sound of tam-tams, with a few fortune-tellers (I say wallah!) and other little nuggets on Benirras beach! We had a few parties there with friend Claire and had a great time ?
Religious processions in ibiza
There are lots of them! But then, as in all Spain: a lot. As it happens, in summer it’s almost every Sunday. I had the opportunity to do the one in Puerto San Miguel: it’s the town where I was staying (and where I was doing an internship!), so I wasn’t going to miss the chance. In a nutshell, you start at the church and walk down the town. But here’s a little surprise: every door in town is open, people have coffee, fruit juice and cakes laid out on their tables, and you go home to help yourself, chat with people, meet new people: I thought it was absolutely brilliant! The trust index is incredible.
Did you like this little blog about families returning from Spain – Ibiza session? Would you also like to go out and party and enjoy the sunshine all day long? You’ve come to the right place, as Eleanor Shellstrop would say (if you don’t have the reference, you absolutely must watch The Good Place, an incredible series). For more general questions, check out International Horizons’ Internships Abroad FAQ. And to get in touch with us, so that the team can find you the best internship in Ibiza, all you have to do is follow this link, and someone will get back to you within 48 hours!